Croplink

By Matthew Wilde, Crops Editor

Pioneer has unveiled a quick way to estimate corn production called the Pioneer Corn Yield Estimator.

The flagship brand of Corteva Agriscience is launching the mobile app in both Android and iOS systems from the Google Play Store and the App Store. The app is free.

Simply take a picture of an ear in the field, and the app, using a machine learning model, counts the kernels. The yield estimate is based on kernel count, stand count and kernels per bushel. Estimates can occur from the time kernels appear up until maturity.

The yield estimator walks the user through the process of lining up the ear of corn to be sampled, taking the necessary number of images and entering the remaining information before providing a yield estimate. The tool requires that husks and silks be removed before taking the picture, but the ear does not need to be pulled from the stalk.

Up to 20 pictures of ears can be taken per field. The more samples taken in different parts of the field improves yield accuracy.

Jeremy Groeteke, Corteva Agriscience U.S. digital agriculture lead, says the estimates could help growers needing to determine yield potential to see if in-season fungicide, herbicide or fertilizer applications are worth the time and money.

Follow Matthew Wilde on Twitter at @progressivwilde.

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